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81 Bellevue Road

Architectural Description:

Historical Narrative:

This former farmhouse was not listed on the Andover Building survey done in 1975-1977 or at anytime after. It is now listed only as an historical reference to the Osgood District.

The property was once owned by Joshua Griffin who married Hannah Chandler on Nov. 13, 1810. Joshua and Hannah had three children; Hannah b. Sept. 25, 1811, Maria b. July 4, 1813 and Martha b. Apr. 13, 1815. Joshua's death is not recorded in the Andover vital records. His widow Hannah is the administrator of his estate and sells to Benjamin Dane for $142.45 one undivided half of the 36 acre 125 rods property on Apr. 23, 1821. We believe that the house was built for Benjamin Dane.

The 1850 census has Benjamin, wife Lydia, son John O. and his wife Mary P. all living in the home. Lydia died March 29, 1862 and is interred in the Tewksbury Cemetery.

Benjamin takes a mortgage loan from George A. Dane on Oct. 23, 1861 for $300 on the two parcels of land. The first is 36 acres 23 roads and the second is a 12 acre lot with buildings. George A. Dane b. 1823, married Jerusha Frost int. filed on Jan. 25, 1845. The 1865 Mass. State census lists Benjamin age 75, farmer, George A. age 42 Blacksmith, wife Jerusha 40, and two sons George F. 18 and Willie F. 13.
The 1860 Agricultural schedule census lists Benjamin Dane's farm with 28 improved acres and 6 unimproved. He had 1 horse, two cows, 2 oxen and 1 swine.

Benjamin Dane died on Jan. 27, 1867 age 77y 2m. His will appointed George A. as administrator of the estate. All the living children receive $10 each and George the remainder of the estate. The 1870 Valuation lists George A. Dane; House $375, Barn $125, 32 acres $700 = $1200. His Farm stock is $227. George & Jerusha own for 30 years then sold the house lot piece to William F. and Maggie Dane on Oct. 19, 1892. George held the remainder of the property. The parcel had dwindled to 9 acres 117 rods by the time of sale in 1901 to Edwidn C. Moody. George moved to 51 Argilla Rd. where he shared property with Herman Dane.

It is interesting to note that the Lowell - Lawrence Railroad line cut across Dane's north west boundary of his land on through to Lowell St. and the Haggett's Pond Depot. The line was constructed about 1848-1850.